Very soon I will be becoming an American citizen - it a choice I made for a better life for me and my family. I will uphold every promise I make to my new country and be proud to be a citizen here.
But somewhere deep down I still feel strongly for my natural motherland as well, India, and a great pride of belonging to it - for example some songs about Indian patriotism and it's fight for freedom and will make me emotional as no American songs/ poems can, I can identify myself more for what Gandhi stood for than any American leader (no offence meant here), and so on.
Is this a feeling that is just peculiar to me or has anyone who has been in my situation felt it? Serious answers only, please!
2006-09-10 09:39:30 · 17 answers · asked by estee06 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Immigration
I am an Indian citizen by birth and will be naturalized American soon.
2006-09-10 09:44:14 · update #1
Absolutely!! that is one of the great things about the US! Most everyone's family here at one point came from somewhere else.
The best of each culture has been melded to create this nation.
There is no reason to abandon your origin or somehow stop those feelings you have lived with for years. The test for you will be to make as many legal changes (vote) as you can here so that you WILL eventually have the same feelings about this one as you do for that of your birth.
I know several who have left their country without having to and felt and still feel some pangs toward their birthplace. They still cheer for them in the Olympics but take pride in the US team too.
There is no absolute on emotions, anyone who tells you there is - is lying. Congrats on your citizenship!!
2006-09-10 09:45:38 · answer #1 · answered by grim reaper 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
All dual and tri nationals get this, don't sweat it. So far America still recognizes and accepts multiple citizenship's, many countries don't and I think it is important. I lived in a commune in London where 20 odd dual nationals from various colonies lived and we all had divided loyalties to varying degrees. It's your children that get the real stress, they will be raised in one culture at home and another 'out there.' It has been hypothesized that this is the probable reason for children of immigrants developing schizophrenia 50% more frequently (statistically).
Learn to like both your countries equally, love and nationalism breed conflict and war. Time heals the hollow feeling.
2006-09-10 16:51:34 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
My mother is from Argentina and my father is from France and both had to move here because of their jobs.
They love being an American and do feel loyalty to the country, but still consider their culture to be that of their homelands.
Of course, it is only natural. Its where they were born and grew up, and whether we like it or not, where we live has a huge impact on who we are and definitely shapes our lives.
Don't be worried or try to fight the feeling, its okay.
2006-09-10 16:43:24 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your nationality is different than your origin. Carrying another passport does not mean that you became in one day another person. You will always feel that you are not American, may be after 10 or 15 years when your children grow up, you feel more attached to your new country and do not feel the urge to go back to your original country. By the way, those who gave you that passport will never feel that you are one of them, you will always be treated as a foreigner except if you are blond and your name is David!!
2006-09-10 16:46:03 · answer #4 · answered by Abularaby 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can!
You GO Boy!
Identifying the good things that you can hang your hat on about one's own culture is one way of doing it.
And certainly India has many, many positive things to be proud of.
I know of very few people that do not identify with their roots of origin and feel pride and personal association with the elements that are positive for them as well as others.
It is the reason we all have to be understanding and tolerant of others in their display of pride for their heritages.
We all contribute to the soup of life that nurtures us all forward, and manifests progess for the human species.
2006-09-10 16:51:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
A BIG YES! That is what America and it's people have done since the beginning of this great nation.
2006-09-10 16:47:24 · answer #6 · answered by blankit 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Taking nationality in another country means leaving all that stuff behind, and doing your best to start over from scratch. If you feel that way, think twice about changing your citizenship. You're either ready to emigrate, or you're not. If you're leaving your country behind for good, there must be something that's 'not right' about the old place, or else why leave to begin with? You can go ahead and like Gandi or whatever, we read about him in our schools too, but as long as your heart AND your feet are in the same country...
2006-09-10 16:43:20 · answer #7 · answered by gokart121 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
well u can still b a american/ indian w/out being fully patriotic to america
i know a lot of people who have done this
2006-09-10 16:41:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can, the question I have is ... Are you an Indian -American, or an American?
2006-09-10 16:41:56 · answer #9 · answered by Lem 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes, but that's looking backwards
2006-09-10 16:41:51 · answer #10 · answered by Re Fined 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋